"We will carry out a campaign characterized by shock, by surprise, by flexibility ... and by the application of overwhelming force." - CENTCOM commander General Tommy Franks commenting on the conduct of Operation: Iraqi Freedom, March 21st, 2003

The Centauro family of wheeled armored fighting vehicles has been developed by Iveco Fiat Oto Melara Syndicated Company, based in Rome. Iveco Fiat is responsible for the vehicle and powerpack development and Oto Melara developed the turrets and weapon systems. Centauro entered production in 1991, with 400 Centauro reconnaissance anti-tank vehicles (tank destroyers) are in service with the Italian Army. The Spanish Army has 22 Centauro vehicles in the armored reconnaissance configuration, with additional reactive armor package on the frontal arc, and ordered a further 62 vehicles in February 2002.

The Centauro family of 8x8 vehicles consists of the Reconnaissance Anti-Tank Vehicle, the VBC Infantry Fighting Vehicle and the Armored Personnel Carrier, all with a common chassis. Centauro is capable of firing while stationary or on the move, against moving or stationary targets by day or night.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of an Italian Centauro Tank Destroyer that was attached to the 1st Regiment "Nizza Cavalleria," then deployed to Egypt during 2002.
Now in stock!

Dimensions:
Length: 4 inches
Width: 1-1/2 inches

Release Date: April 2014

Historical Account: "Recon" - The Centauro Reconnaissance Antitank Vehicle/ Tank Destroyer has a crew of four (commander, gunner, loader and driver) and is equipped with an Oto Melara 105mm / 52 caliber gun. The low recoil force rifled gun fires standard NATO ammunition, including APFSDS (armor piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot) rounds. The gun is equipped with a thermal sleeve, integrated fume extractor and muzzle reference system. 14 rounds of 105mm ammunition are carried in the turret and 26 rounds are stored in the hull. An alternative configuration, the 8x8 T, replaces these 26 rounds of ammunition with space for four combat troops. A version with a low-recoil 120mm smothbore gun is being developed. Two 7.62mm machine guns are mounted on the turret, one co-axial with the main gun. A four-barrel smoke grenade launcher is mounted on each side of the turret.